Bank-protective device



Sept. 24, 1929.

D. VAN HOOZER ET AL lBANK PROTECTIVE DEVICE Filed Feb 7, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l I7. 5f. l

Z, 7mm? D. VAN HoozER ET AL 1,729,302

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Sept. 24, 1929.

Patented Sept. 24, 1929 UNITED STATES DENNIS VAN HOOZER AND ISAAC STONE, OF OAKDALE, IOWA BANK-PROTECTIVE DEVICE Application filed February 7, `1929. Serial No. 338,242.

This invention relates to bank protective devices and more particularly to a means for automatically closing the business Windows of the bank in event ot an attempted robbery.

An important object of the invention is to provide means operable from practically any point in the bank for releasing shutters for all open windows in the bank, so that the same will close and thereby cut off the employes of 1U the bank from the would-be highwayman.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction of this character which is such that the number of latches which must be operated. upon operation ofthe control mechanism is reduced to a minimum, thereby reducing the amount of force necessary to the release of the latches.

A further and more specilic object of the invention is the provision of a construction such that only certain of the windows of the bank are held in elevated position by the latch mechanism operated in event of an attempted robbery and the shutters of the remaining windows of the bank are released by the closure of the first named windows.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a construction such that the shutter of a window may operate an adjacent window, whether this window be aligned with the first named window or at an angle thereto.k

A still further object of the invention is to provide a construction such that the windows may be, it so desired, arranged in a series of groups, thus enabling the shutters ot one group of windows to be lett closed While the shutters of another group are open.

These and other objects we attain by the construction shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of our invention and wherein Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan View of a bank partition showing shutter control mechanism constructed in accordance with our invention applied thereto;

Figure 2 is -a section on the line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section on thevline 3-3 of Figure 2; .f

Figure 4 is a section on the line 1t-4 of Figure 2; y

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view illustrating the tripping of one of the auxiliary. latches ot the series; l v l 1 Figure 6 is a semi-diagrammatic View illustrating the division of the shutter control mechanism into a plurality of series.

Referring now more particularly tothe drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates a partition separating the foyer 11 of a bank from the cashiers'and clerks stalls, i indicated at 13, and 13 designates window openings formed in said partition and ccntrolled by vertically slidable metallic shutters 14. In the present instance, 4the shutters 14; are disclosed as having attheir sideedges tongues 15 operating in grooves formed in tracks 16 arranged adjacent the sides ot the windows. Where these tracks 'are disposed between acent windows, they may be combined with one another, as indicated. Each shutter, when in its lowermost position, seals the window space, providing a bullet-proof shield between occupants ot the space 12 and f those ott the space 11, which ext-ends to a height such that the occupants of the space 12 are fully protected. The shutters 14 have each associated therewith a latch 17 or 1S whereby the shutter may be maintained in f elevated position. Latches 17 are secured to the partition 10 above the windows and are each in the form of a bell crank lever, onearm 19 of which 'is notched at 2() to receive a pin 21 carried by the associated shutter and a second arm 22 to which is connected the operating mechanism or releasing these latches. This latter arm is further provided with an extension 23 for connecting' the latches 17 in series, so that operation of one of these latches within a. bank will cause an operation ot all of such latches. The operating connections between the latches constitute simple link connections 24 where the latches are arranged in the same general plane. Where latches are disposed inplanes at right angles to one another, as in the construction of F igures 1 to 3 inclusive, at such angles bell crank levers 25 are disposed and connected with the adjacent latches at opposite sides of the angle, to transmit the rocking motion of the latches through the series.

The operating connections to the latches 17 comprise flexible elements 26 trained over suitable pulleys 27 and around guide pulleys 28 which are directly associated with operating mechanisms 29 for the flexible element. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 4, the pulleys 27 and 28 may be associated with one another and by use of shunt connecting cables 30, a single flexible element 26 may be simultaneously connected to a plurality of operating mechanisms. The operating mechanisms are at present disclosed as comprising a `pivoted segment 31 mounted upon a horizontal pivot 32 and operated by a vertically movable treadle 33 extending through a suitable casing and accessible to the foot of the occupants of the space 12. The cable 26 or 3() is secured to the flexible element so that when this flexible element is rocked, the cable is shifted longitudinally, thereby causing the bell crank levers, which comprise the latches 17, to rock and disengage from the pins 21, permitting the shutters 14 supported thereby to fall. Each latch 17 has associated therewith a spring 34 normally holding this latch in its pin engaging position, i

Each latch 18 is in the form of a lever' having at one end a notch 35 to receive a pin 3o carried yby the associated shutter 14 and at its opposite end a tail 37 extending into the path of a striker carried by an adjacent window. These 4strikers may consist either of pins 38 projecting outwardly from the adjacent shutter, and in the path of movement of which the tail 37 is disposed, or may comprise a striker element 39 carried by the adjacent shutter and projecting to one side thereof. rIhe former arrangement is preferably employed where the shutters are arranged in the same general plane, and the latter where they are arranged in planes at an angle to one another.

Each latch 18 has associated therewith a stop pin 40 which engages the latch and limits rotation thereof after it reaches its latching position. Assuming each of the shutters 14 to be raised to its elevated position and the arrangement to be such that illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, wherein all of the shutters are controlled from a single latch 1 7 associated with one thereof, if the latch 17 be operated, the shutter 14 supported thereby will fall. In its fall, it will engage with its strikers 38 and 39, the tails 37 of the latches 18 of the shutters at opposite sides thereof, releasing these latches and permitting these shutters to fall. These shutters in their fall will, in turn, engage with their strikers 38 or 39, the tails 37 of the next shutters of the series and so on until the entire ser-ies has been released and all of the shutters have closed hy gravity. This operation will be very rapid and, as a matter of fact, it will require but a few seconds of time to accomplish the closing of 'a great number of shutters arranged in series. The construction of these figures is open to the objection that it does not permit closing of the shutters of certain of thel windows without closing all shutters of the series beyond these windows, for otherwise there would be no means for tripping the shutters beyond this point. iis in some instances, the haul; arrangement will require closure of a portion of the shutters while the remaining thereof are left open for service, l preferably employ a number of the latches 17 connecting these latches in series, as lie-reinbefore described, so that operation of any one of the 'latches causes an operation of the remaining thereof.

Each shutter 14, which is controlled by a latch, has associated therewith a further shutter or shutters which are controlled by a latch 18 operated therefrom. In Figure 6, we have illustrated two series of windows, the Kshutters 14 of which are identified as a and b -t-o differentiate the shutters of the series. If it is desired that the shutters of the series Z) be closed while those of the series a are open, these shutters are allowed to remain closed, the left hand shutter of the series d latched by its/latch 17 and the second shutter thereof hitched by its latch 18. An operation of either of the latches 17 will cause operation of b'oth of these latches, so that closure of all of the windows which may happen to be open is assured.

le preferably associate with the shutters ameans for elevating the same and supporting the shutters while they are being placed on their latches. This means is at present ilinsti-ated as constituting a shaft or a connected series of shafts 4.1 which is provided above each window with a hoisting drum 42 upon which is wound a flexible cable 43. This cable is provided with means whereby it may be detachably connected with the shutter, as indicated at 44, and means such as chain and sprocket gearing, designated at 45,'fis employed to impart rotation to the shafts. The shutters maybe hoisted and after they are securely latched, released from their associated cables, so that the apparatus is in position for emergency operation. One or more of the windows may be equipped with meansl for operating a signal, as indicated in Figure 2. In this figure, one of the shutters 14 provided with a plunger 46 which, whenv the shutter is in closed position, engages a switch button 47 to close the circuit of a signal 48.

This signal may be disposed exteriorly o f the bank and at some convenient point for summoning aid as, for example, a police station, detective agency or the like. Means may furthermore be provided for automatically discharging a vfirearm throughone or more of' the shutters. In the present instance, we

have disclosed one of the shutters in Figures lit 2 and i as provided with a mounting 49 for a pistol 50. Upon this shutter is pivoted a lever 5l which, as the shutter descends, engages a trip pin 52 carried by the partition, so that this lever is caused to oscillate. The lever has connected thereto a flexible element 63 which is connected to the trigger of the pistol, as more clearly shown at 54 in Figure 4. lllhen the shutter has lowered to a predetermined position, the trip pin 52 will engage the lever, causing the pistol to be fired and discharge its contents through the shutter and into the foyer. If desired, the pistol, instead of being carried by the shutter, may be secured to one of the shutter guides and discharged therethrough and be operated by a trip element carried by the shutter. It will, of course, be obvious that other tripping means than those above referred to may be employed for oscillating the latches 17. For example, instead of foot operation, any of the depending cables could be engaged by the hand and there might be arranged pull lines connected to certain of the latches.

It will be obvious that a construction of the character described is capable of a certain range of change and modification Without materially departing from the spirit of the invention, and We accordingly do not limit ourselves thereto except as hereinafter claimed.

`We claimzl. In safety apparatus for banks and in combination with a partition separating the foyer and clerks space in a bank and provided With Windows, a vertically movable shutter for closing each Window, said shutters being arranged in series, latches for supporting the shutters of the series in elevated position, manually operable means for releasing one of said latches, and means operated by the fall of a shut-ter Whose latch is released for releasing the latch of a succeeding shutter in the series.

2. l'n safety apparatus for banks and in combination With a partition separating the foyer and clerks space in a bank and provided Wi h Windows, a vertically movable shutter for closing each window, said shut-- ters being arranged in series, latches for supporting the shutters of the series in elevated position, manually operable means for releasing one of said latches, and an operating trip carried by each shutter and during the fall of the shutter engaging the latch of a succeeding shutter of t-he series to release the same.

3. In safety apparatus for banks and in combination with a partition separating the foyer and clerks space in a bank and provided with Windows, a vertically movable shutter for closing each Window, said shutters being arranged in series, latches for supporting the shutters of the series in elevated position, manually operable means for releas- .of the shutters. l l v .l 5,. Insa'fety apparatus for banks and-in 4combination With a 'partition' separating'the 'ting oneo'fsaid latches, means operatedby the porting the shutters of the series in'elevated position, manually'operable means for releasing one of said latches, an operating trip carvried lbyeach shutter and during the fall of -the'shuttery engaging the latch of a succeed- Sing shutter of the series to release the same, .and means having parts detachably engaging :the shutters for 'simultaneously elevating all vf`oyer;and clerks space ina bankand pro- --vided f with Windows, vertically movable 4shutter.forfclo'sing eaehiy'vindow, said shutters-a being arranged in series, latches for supgport-mgftheshutters of theseries in elevated 'position,mamially operable means for releas- :ing: one of said'latches, vmeans operated by 1the fall of a-shutter whose latch yis released formeleasmg the latchv of a succeeding shutrter 1n the series, a firearm carried by one of ltheshutters Iand positioned to fire through an opening formed through the same, and means operated by the fall ofthe shutter for dis- Ycharging said firearm. v;

l' .6. In safety apparatus for banks and in Acombina'tion'with a partition separating the foyer and clerks space'in a bank andiprolvided with Windows, a vertically movable shutter for closing each Windomsaid shutters ,being arranged in series, latches for supporting the shutters of the series in elevated position, manually operable vmeans for releasing one of said latches, an operating trip carried by leachshutter-and during the fall ofthe shutter engaging the latch of a succeeding shutter of the series to release the same, a firearm carried by one of the shutters and positioned to lire through an opening formed through the same, and means operated by the fall of the shutter for discharging said lirearm.

7. ln safety apparatus for banks and in combination With a partition separating the foyer and clerks space in a. bank and provided with Windows, a vertically movable shutter for closing each Window, said shutters being arranged in series, latches for supporting the shutters of the series in elevated position, manually operable means for releasing one of said latches, means operated by the fall of a shutter whose latch is released` for releasing the latch of a succeeding shut- ,fer in .the Series, an electrical .Signat and means operated by. one of said shutters when in .Closed Position for desires .the GrCutQf ,the signal. l y

8. In safety apparatus for banlgs and in combination with a partition separating the .foyeri and clerks space in a bank and provided with windows, a. vertically movable shutter for closing each Window, said shutl0 ters being arranged in series, latches for supporting the shutters of the Series in elevated posit-ion, manually operable means for releasing one vof said latches, an operating trip carried by each shutterand .during the fall I 5Y0f the shutter engaging the latch of a suc- 'ceeding shutter of the-.series to release the same, an electrical signal, 4and means operated by one of said shutters when in closed position for closing the circuit of the signal. 9. In safety apparatus for banks and in combination With ar partition separating the foyer-and clerks space in a bank and providedwith windows, a vertically movable shutter for closing each Window, said shutters (being. .arranged in series, latches for supporting the shutters of the series in elevated positionyrnanually operable means for releasing one 'of said latches, Ieach of the remaining latches being in the form cfa lever pivoted to the partition and having a tail, the tails of .said levers being each disposed in the path of'a striker carried by an adjacent shutter. 10. In safety apparatus for bank-s and in combination with a partition separating the foyer and clerks space in a bank and provided with Windows, a vertically movable shutter for closing each Window7 said shutters being arranged'in a plurality of series, a manually releasable latch for one shutter of each series, connections betweens'aid manually releasablc latches whereby said latches are operated in unison upon operation of one thereof, and means operated by the fall of a shutter Whose latch is released for releasing the latch of the succeeding shutter1 in the series. .1

In testimony whereof we hereunto affix our signatures.

DENNIS VAN HOOZER. ISAAC STONE. 

